7 September 2023 – Bafana Bafana surprised the learners of Thaba Jabula Senior Secondary School in Soweto with a visit this week, and the welcome was not at all what was expected from the national team.
“To be welcomed the way we were is out of this world! The cheering and screaming and yelling of our names, means that we are inspirational and if young men and women look up to us like this – then we have big shoes to fill,” said captain Ronwen Williams.
Al Ahly forward Percy Tau, who almost went undercover with his new ‘chiskop’ hairstyle could not believe the applause he received from the crowd.
“I wish I had something like this when I was younger, where the team visited my school,” he said. “This means so much to me to see their reaction at us merely just being here and I hope this instills in the learners the need to learn, to be their best selves and to keep pushing on with their education.”
Coach Hugo Broos, floored by just how excited everyone was to have a piece of Bafana Bafana, left the school having made a big promise to the school. “Thank you for the welcome! Thank you for the time you took out of your classes to come and greet us! We are humbled, know that when we win these two friendlies that we dedicate it to all of you,” he said.
The HOD of the team, David Molantwa, who himself was a teacher, shared a special message to the learners of Grade 12: “In a few weeks time, the Grade 12 learners will be sitting for their final exams and from all of us at Bafana Bafana, we wish you the best of luck, give it your all. Just like we will in your honour come Saturday and Tuesday.